Music you've never heard….'til now! A blog of rare, hardly-heard or remembered pop, hip-hop, R&B, freestyle and dance music from the 80s and 90s. From one-hit wonders to no-hit wonders, this blog has it all!!

Monday, February 16, 2009

D'Zyre were a freestyle/dance music duo from Glendale, Illinois that consisted of singers Angela Salazar and Troy Guy.

I don't know much about where the group came from or how they got started. It seems like the group just popped up out of nowhere.

In 1991, D'Zyre released their first single, "Forever Amor" on D.J. International Records, which peaked at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1991 and #49 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

Their follow-up single, "Games of Love" was released, but didn't make the Billboard music charts at all.

According to the back of the "Games of Love" single, D'Zyre was planning on releasing their debut album, "Forever Amor," but unfortunately, it was never released. After two years together, the duo went their separate ways.

These days, Troy Guy is a music producer who has produced music for artists such as Mario, Xenario, Face 2 Face, Rated R, SPO and Grand Larceny. It's unknown what Andrea Salazar is up to today.

In 1983, the group released the EP, "Laced" on Svengali Records. It's unknown how or if the EP ever charted.

In 1984, Pretty Poison released the single, "Nightime" peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #82 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 4 weeks.

In 1987, Pretty Poison released their debut album, "Catch Me I'm Falling" on Virgin Records America, Inc. The album peaked at #104 on the Billboard 200.

The title song became Pretty Poison's biggest hit to date, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in September of 1987, and #13 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The song also peaked at #85 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The song was featured on the soundtrack to the Jon Cryer film, "Hiding Out" and received heavy airplay on MTV. In March of 1989, "Catch Me (I'm Falling)" became certified Gold by the RIAA.

A remixed version of "Nightime" peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #13 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and #83 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

The last single from the album, "When I Look Into Your Eyes" peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

In 1992, the group released a single, "Better Better Be Good To Me" on Tracer Records. It's unknown how or if the single ever charted at all.

In 1995, Pretty Poison changed their name to "Sex in Violets" and released the album, "Deflowered" which featured a more rock/indie style.

In 1998, Pretty Poison released the album, "Euphoria "on Svengali Records. It's unknown how or if the album charted.

A remixed version of "Catch Me (I'm Falling)" peaked at #43 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #29 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart (along with a cover version of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On.")

The follow-up single from the album, "Let Freedom Ring" peaked at #33 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

In 2009, Pretty Poison released the song, "Finger Lickin' Good" and plans for a new album was scheduled for release in the summer of that same year, but nothing much has been heard about it.

These days, Jade Starling is still active in the music business and released her solo album "Captive" in 2014. It is unknown what the other members of Pretty Poison are up to today.

Eleanor (born Eleanor Academia on August 13, 1958 in Hawaii; raised in Los Angeles, California) is a former dance music singer from the '80s.

In 1987, Eleanor released her debut album, "Jungle Wave" on Columbia Records. It's unknown how or if the album made the charts at all.

Her first single, "Adventure" became a hit, topping Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in May of 1988. It also topped the charts in Germany.

The follow-up singles, "Better Safe Than Sorry" and "Perfection" didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

In 1992, Eleanor released her sophomore album, "Global Conversations" which was only released in Europe.

In 1998, Eleanor released her third album, "Oracle of the Black Swan" on her own independent record label, Black Swan Records. The album became a cult favorite among indie rock fans with rave reviews.

Today, Eleanor is still very active in the music business. She is an award winning master Kulintang percussionist. She produced the classic World Kulintang Institute's CD, "Kulintang: 3rd Century Gong/Drum Ensemble Music" which is now honored in the Smithsonian.

Eleanor still runs her own record label, composing, recording, producing & scoring music for film, television and indie products. She is a resident Performing and Teaching Artist for the LA Music Center MCED and MCOT programs.

Eleanor performs for thousands of students and is the creator of the highly successful "History of Rock" concert series & workshop sessions.

She is also a highly sought after scholar, teacher & thought leader, mentoring a lot of people. She was chosen as an official U.S. Delegate Prsenter for the Leadership Conference in China, performing in Beijing, Shanghai and Zhengzhou.

Eleanor is also the creator, producer and artist host of her own weekly on-air indie rock radio show, "The LA Music Pipeline" on bigFM.

She is a Durfee Master Artist Awardee, Dana Fellow, California Arts Alliance Artist and recipient of the "Artist of the Year" Award by former Los Angeles mayor, Richard Riordan.

Starpoint was an R&B\dance group from Maryland consisting of lead singer/keyboardist/bass guitarist Kayode Adeymo, brothers George (who played keyboards), Orlando (who played bass guitar, keyboards and saxophone) & Gregory Phillips (who played drums and percussion), and lead singer Renee Diggs.

The group's original name was "Licyndiana" in 1969, but by the end of the 70s, they changed it to Starpoint.In 1980, Starpoint released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #62 on Billboard's Black Albums chart.

The only single that charted from the album, "I Just Wanna Dance With You" peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #19 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.In 1981, the group released their second album, "Keep On It" which peaked at #138 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart and #31 on Billboard's Black Albums chart.

The title song peaked at #28 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. The follow-up single, "I Want You Closer" peaked at #67 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart in , staying on the chart for 7 weeks.In 1982, Starpoint released their third album "Wanting You" which didn't appear to make the charts at all.

The title song peaked at #66 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Angel" peaked at #50 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart in February of 1982, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Do What You Wanna Do" peaked at #56 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.In 1982, Starpoint released their fourth album, "All Night Long" which peaked at #52 on Billboard's Black Albums chart.

The first single, "Get Your Body Up" peaked at #76 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

The title song peaked at #69 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

In 1983, Starpoint released their fifth album, "It's So Delicious" which peaked at #32 on Billboard's Black Albums chart.

The first single, "Don't Be So Serious" peaked at #46 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #14 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The title song managed to peak at #79 on Billboard's Black Singles chart in October of 1983, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.

In 1984, the group released their sixth album, "It's All Yours" which didn't chart at all. The first single, the title song, peaked at #17 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Breakout" peaked at #73 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

The last single, "Am I Still the One" peaked at #59 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.In 1985, Starpoint released their seventh and most successful album to date, "Restless" which peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200 and #14 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.Their hit single, "Object of My Desire" peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #12 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #8 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 22 weeks.

The second single from the album, "What You Been Missing" peaked at #9 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

The third single, "Restless" peaked at #46 on the Billboard Hot 100, #13 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #11 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Till The End of Time" peaked at #64 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

During 1985 (while Starpoint was on tour), Renee Diggs was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which made touring quite a challenge for her, but she managed to stay with the band and live up to her potential.

In 1987, Starpoint released their eighth album, "Sensational" which peaked at #95 on the Billboard 200 and #29 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "He Wants My Body" peaked at #89 on the Billboard Hot 100, #40 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #8 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The second single, "D.Y.O.B." peaked at #25 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

The last single from the album, "The More We Love" peaked at #30 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

In 1988, Starpoint released their ninth album, "Hot To The Touch" which peaked at #75 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Say You Will" peaked at #18 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Tough Act to Follow" peaked at #81 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

By their 1990 and final album, "Have You Got What It Takes" which flopped, failing to make to the charts at all.

The first single from the album, "I Want You-You Want Me" peaked at #32 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The second single from the album, "Midnight Love" peaked at #45 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

The last single from the album, the title song peaked at #93 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.

Starpoint's popularity began to wane and the group broke up. Shortly after Starpoint broke up, Renee Diggs released a solo album, "Oasis" which was only released in Europe.

She also started "The Renee Diggs Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis." The other members of the group went on to do session work for other R&B artists.

After that, it seemed that the group faded into obscurity.

On March 25, 2004, Ernesto Phillips died of a stroke and "The Ernesto Phillips Scholarship For Talented Youth" was established in his memory to help young children realize their ambitions to become musicians.

On March 18, 2005, Renee Diggs died of a heart condition at the age of 50, just a week shy of the one-year anniversary death of Ernesto Phillips (who was her longtime companion). Her solo album "Oasis" was released in the US posthumously.

These days, Orlando Phillips performs music from the Carribean such as reggae, soca, and calypso. Greg Phillips has toured and recorded with a few major recording artists.

George Phillips has gone on to be a music producer. Kayode Adeyemo is still continuing with his songwriter and is a large part of the music industry.